Per Mertesacker wants a repeat performance from Arsenal in Germany after derby heroics against Tottenham

On the up | Mertesacker wants Gunners to build on Tottenham win
David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Olley23 November 2017

There has never been much doubt Arsenal are capable of producing the type of performance that swatted Tottenham aside last Saturday. The question has always been their ability to repeat it consistently.

Saturday’s north London derby was the Gunners’ best performance of the season, setting a benchmark for the levels of urgency and quality they must produce to be successful this season.

The personnel will change dramatically here in Cologne but the message from Per Mertesacker is clear. “Saturday was a brilliant example of us bringing it all - fans and players together,” the 33-year-old (right) said.

“It was a great atmosphere and lovely to see how we were together in every single situation. Even in the stands, we seemed to be together.

“The intensity was great and it is human on those occasions we give 20 per cent more. But we want to reproduce that, especially against Cologne. They set a good example for us, those players who came in.”

Jack Wilshere, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have formed an effective attacking triptych in the Europa League this season, so much so that Arsenal only need a point to secure top spot in Group H, but they will be broken up this evening. Walcott has not travelled because of illness, with Danny Welbeck most likely to be included for the first time in more than a month.

Goalkeeper David Ospina is also set to return to the starting line-up after missing cup engagements against Red Star Belgrade and Norwich, while youngsters Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock could continue their run of appearances in this competition.

Nothing here will replicate the rivalry with Spurs, but the partisan atmosphere should pique Arsenal’s interest, with Cologne’s boisterous support emboldened by a determination to enjoy their first European campaign for 20 years.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Cologne | 14/09/17

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That enthusiasm spilled over in the reverse fixture, with thousands of Cologne fans buying tickets from touts or forcing their way into the Emirates.

“The atmosphere is special and I am looking forward to the match because I played my first league game here and was substituted after 45 minutes because it was so intense,” said Mertesacker, who began his career at Hannover before spending five years at Werder Bremen prior to joining Arsenal in 2011.

“They have got special songs in Cologne. I am looking forward to listening to them before the game. The opposition have got special fans and I hope that can be reproduced tonight.”

Match prediction

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